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Lilli Tichinin

2014 Outstanding Graduate Student in Folk Studies

Lilli Tichinin was awarded the 2014 Outstanding Graduate Student in Folk Studies
at the Potter College of Arts and Letters Student Awards Dinner on Friday, April 11th. Dr.
Erika Brady and Dr. Ann Ferrell attended the ceremony. Dr. Ferrell and Brent Bjorkman,
director of the Kentucky Folklife Program, were recognized as Tichinin's mentors.

Lilli came into the folk studies program at Western Kentucky University already having
a background in folklore. She felt that this prepared her to start working on things
in-depth right away. Tichinin has also made a conscious effort to have her various
projects build on one another, including her work as a graduate assistant for the
Kentucky Folklife Program. Tichinin explains, "If I can find connections between all
of the different things I'm doing, I think it makes all of it more exciting and more
engaging." Lilli has been involved in many activities in the Folk Studies and Anthropology
Department. Tichinin states, "The work I do for my graduate assistantship puts me
in a place where I'm aware of what's going on in the department. I'm in a good place
to get involved in all the activities that are happening."

Immediately after graduation, Tichinin will be headed to Washington, D.C. to work
as the Accessibility Coordinator for the 2014 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Immediately
after that, she will start an internship in the Park History Program at the National
Parks Service for 3 months. Best of luck, Lilli! You have a very bright future ahead
of you!